The U.S. Army says five soldiers based at Fort Campell were among the nine NATO troops killed in a helicopter crash in Southern Afghanistan on Tuesday.
All five soldiers were assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell.
The casualties include a 37-year old Maj. Robert Baldwin from Illinois, and Staff Sgt. David Powell, also from Illinois. Chief Warrant Officer 3, Matthew Wagstaff, from Utah, and Chief Warrant Officer 2, Jonah McClellan, from Minnesota, were Black Hawk helicopter pilots assigned to the 5th Battalion, Bravo Company. Twenty-three year old door gunner, Sgt. Marvin Calhoun, Jr. was also from Bravo Company.
Tuesday’s crash was the worst for a coalition helicopter in Afghanistan in four years.
The cause of the crash is unclear. The Taliban claims insurgents shot down the Blackhawk helicopter, but sometimes takes credit for accidents. Officials say there are no reports of enemy fire in the area, and are investigating.
Jacqueline Fellows contributed to this report.
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